Today I’m chatting with Dr. Mary Catherine Riner, a licensed psychologist, with over 10 years of clinical experience. She earned her master’s in Educational Specialist and her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology. Additionally she has taught at Florida State University and Mercer University. And most recently, she launched her own private practice: Riner Counseling here in Greenville, SC.

In this episode Mary Catherine shares her personal recovery journey from an eating disorder and compulsive exercise addiction. Recognizing when you are no longer in control. Healthy coping mechanism, she uses now, when she feels triggered. Her advice on having peace with taking rest days. The power that comes with realizing that you can have a thought and not follow through with it (anyone noticing a theme?). And ultimately how she went on to specialize as a psychologist who works with individuals struggling with food & their bodies.

This is a very open and honest conversation. So friendly disclaimer: there may be topics we discuss that you personally find triggering, and that is okay! Should this happen, please do whatever it is that you need, to take care of yourself. And you always have the option of skipping this episode altogether. I share conversations like this with the intention that they will bring you comfort, hope, encouragement, and that choosing freedom + living a full life is possible.

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

Wanting to find a sense of control

Stress as a trigger for an eating disorder

How much focus is placed on our bodies

Forming an identity based on our physical appearance

How we can feel resentment for loss of control

While in grad school to become a psychologist two close friends pointed out to her that “You can only take your clients as far as you’re willing to go yourself”

Characteristics of an ED: People pleasing tendencies, secrecy, and isolation

Healthy coping mechanisms she has since adopted in place of the ED

Many people who struggle with an ED don’t really feel like they have an issue (non-dystonic)

It’s only when you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have control or are unable to predict what’s going to happen next → realize that the ED is controlling you

Asking yourself what your intention is when you want to use a ED coping behavior? If it’s stress, its a good indicator to step back and find an alternative way to deal with what you are feeling

Noticing how you FEEL after being numb for so long

Pseudo-recovery & points of freedom

The challenge of taking rest days, reframing rest days with the understanding that our bodies are often doing MORE on a rest day to recover, than they are on a day when we workout

The power that comes with realizing that you can have a thought and not follow through with it/ or identify with it (we are not our thoughts)

Putting the short term anxiety (to workout) on hold for the long term care we can choose to practice for our body